Gang-related shooting suspect Rico M. Espitia gets trial date

A Solano County Superior Court judge on Friday set a January trial date for a 22-year-old Vacaville man suspected in a 2011 gang-related shooting.

Jury selection was set to begin last month in the case of the July 30, 2011, shooting death of Quinten Nears, 20, who was gunned down in the driveway of the Alamo Gardens Apartments. Vacaville police believe Rico M. Espitia, 22, is responsible for the gunshot slaying of Nears.

Due to scheduling conflicts, prosecutors previously dismissed a homicide charge against Espitia and immediately refiled it. A preliminary hearing was held last week and Espitia was again held to answer to a homicide charge.

On Friday, Espitia pleaded not guilty and Judge Donna Stashyn set a jury trial date for January. He was ordered back to court at 9 a.m. on Dec. 14 for a trial management conference.